Fishing plug with guarded hook



Jan. 8, 1952 T A HERKENHAM 2,581,485

FISHING PLUG WITH GUARDED HOOK Filed Dec. 6, 195o fr; x/e 27 751 Thom C75 /lHeP/(en/cm'( vto guard the hooks.

Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FISHING PLUG WITH GUARDED HooK Thomas A. Herkenham, Schenectady, N. Y. Application December s, 1950, serial No. 199,481

Claims. 1

My invention relates to fishing luresand particularly to casting lures of the plug type.

In plug castingit is a commen practice to einploy a lure formed to represent a fish or other Water animal and provided with one or more barbed shhooks usually of the triple hook type. The hooks readily catch on objects with which they come in contact and become snagged thereon. Furthermore, when a fisherman is casting near another person there is danger of accidental snagging and injuring of the other person. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a plug casting lurehaving an arrangement for guarding the fish hooks against accidental snagging when the lure is out of the water.

`It is another object of my invention to provide a plug casting lure having an improved arrangement for guarding the fish hooks thereon.

It is a further object cf my invention to provide a plug casting lure having an improved arrangement ior providing an effective guard `for the fish hooks when the lure is not in use.

Further objects and advantages of my-invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claimsannexedto and forming a part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of my invention I provide a plug type casting lure having an elon gated body of insulated material and provided withalongitudinal passage in which is mounted a shaft or bar having a line attaching element at one end and a iish hook attached to the other end. The bar is arranged so that it can move freely in the passage and candraw the shank of the hook into the Vpassage and bring the-point or points ofthe hook against the body of the lure A locking arrangement `is provided to secure the hockin this guarded position. In order to` cast the lure the bar is freed and after reachingthe water'it falls downward and exposes the hook, the body being Weighted to iioat `the hook end down. When the lure is then drawn through the water `agravity actuated lock prevents movement ofthebar to -drawthe hookshank into the lure; the hook is thus main- `tainedin its unguarded position during the re- `trieving movement of the lure.

For a vbetter understanding of my invention reference maybe had to the accompanyingdrawingin which Fig. 1 is a View of a fishing plug .embodying my invention on ,a line ready `for casting; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of kthe lure with the hook locked in its guarded position; Fig. 3 is a view ci the lure floatingidly in the water; Fig. 4 is a vieW of the lure While being drawn through the water; Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the hook guard lock; and Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View `of :a plug embodying my invention provided with a Inediiled form of balance weight.

Referring now to the drawing, the casting `plug illustrated inFig. i comprises a buoyant generally cylindrical body Ill arranged to be attached to a casting line H by a line attaching element l2, asnap fastener lift being used to connect the line and element l2. The specific shape or appearanceof the plug may be selected in the usual manner in accordance with the use which is to be made oi the lure; for purposes of illustration, the plug in the drawing has been shown with a generally cylindrical body tapering slightly away from the line end and with an eye |13 represented thereon. In Fig. l a triple pointed iish hook i4 has been shown with its shank drawn into the body lll so that the points engage the outer surfacen of the body and are guarded byan annular shoulder l5 so that they will notbecome snaggedon other objects. y

'Ihe details` of construction of the lure will be more clearly `apparent from a consideration of Figs. 2, 3, and 4 which show the body `l in` section. In Fig. 2 the hook` i4 is locked in its guarded position by the attaching element I2 which is attached to the hook `by a longitudinal shaftor bar l5 loosely mounted in a longitudinal passage l'l extending from end to end ofthe body l0. The bar is provided with a loop I8 atene end to which the-hook It isattached and has a flattened portion i9 at the other end having a hole 26 through which `the element I2 passes. The attaching element I2 comprises an `elongated loop 2I of resilient `wire having converging bends 22 near its center andra line attaching eye 23 secured to a transverse disk 24 which iswelded or otherwise rigidly secured to the resilient wire loop. The wire loop 2l passes through the hole 20 in the bar I6 and asshown in Fig. 2 has been snapped past the bends 22 so that it lies trans.- verse to the plug and locks the hook 1.4 linits guarded position by preventing movement of-.the bar I6. In this position the luremay be handled or-placed in the tackle vbox without its becoming snagged on other lures or objects With which it comes in contact.

If'now the locking loop l2 is snapped back and pivoted into alinement with the bar ifthe bar is free to move through the passage i1 until the disk 24 strikes the body ofthe lure at the endof the passage.

This is the normal position of the bar when the lure is allowed to float idly in the water as shown in Fig. 3. In order to make the lure oat in this manner in an upright position a suitable weight or ballast element 25 is mounted at the hook end of the body ID. If the line is drawn upwardly from the position in Fig. 3 the bar I6 will move through the passage and the hook will again be moved to its guarded position with its shank indicated at 26 lying within the passage I1.

In order to retain the hook I4 in its position outside the passage I provide a gravity actuated locking device comprising small balls or weighted elements 2l and 2B retained in a transverse passage 28 in the body Ill and communicating with the passage Il. The ball 28 is larger than 'the ball 21 and the ball 2l cannot be interchanged with the ball 28 in the recess 29 there being insuiicient room for it to pass around the ball 28. The -passage 29 is preferably formed or drilled at an oblique angle to the passage l1 so that it slopes downwardly toward the hook and outwardly in the position of Fig. 3. The passage 29 may be drilled from the opposite side of the body as indicated so that bar I6 retains the balls 21 and 28 in a recess from which they cannot be moved until the bar has been withdrawn. The drilled passage may be lined with a suitable plastic or metal sleeve 30 to resist wear and minimize friction between the balls and the walls of the passage. The purpose of the transverse passage and the balls 21 and 28 is to provide a lock to prevent retraction of the hook when the lure is being drawn through the water on retrieving the cast.

When the plug has been cast it lands in the Water and the hook falls out or is carried out by its momentum provided the lure strikes the water hook rst. Thereafter when the line is tightened and drawn through the water the plug assumes a horizontal position as indicated in Fig. 4. The balls 2T and 28 will always be on the top side of the bar I6 because the body I0 is provided with suftlcient counterweight on the side opposite the closed recess. In the construction illustrated a ballast weight 3l is secured along the bottom side of the lure by wood screws 31a, and closes the lateral drill hole or passage 29. As the plug assumes its horizontal position the ball 21 falls against the bar I6 and is held there by its Weight and that of the ball 28 as well. The bar I6 moves slightly away from the hook end of the passage until a cone shaped portion 32 permits the ball 2l to move into the passage l1 and to be locked immediately thereafter between the Walls of the passagerand an annular shoulder or stop 33 at the apex of the cone portion 32.` This locks the shank of the hook outside the plug body and leaves the hook in its free or ready position.

Should a fish then strike and be hooked the line tension is transmitted directly through the bar, the body I forming no part of the tackle under strain.

In the event a sh is not hooked, the plug will be brought toward the sherman and nally will come upright whereupon any slight action of the water on tending to produce a bobbing movement of the buoyant body l!) will release the ball 21 whereupon the hook will be drawn into its guarded position. In this connection it is to be noted that the'cone-shaped surface 32 tends to force the ball 21 out of engagement with the wall of the passage whenever there is a force tendingv to move the bar IB toward the hook end of the 4 lure. The release can, of course, be eected by drawing the plug out of the water and then dipping back into the water to produce a positive bobbing action and release the ball 2l.

The front or line end of the plug body as indicated at Illa has -been shown as constructed of cork Whereas the main body lll has been shown as constructed of wood. This illustrates Yone method for securing the required balance of the buoyant and weighted portions of the plug. It

is obvious that any suitable arrangement may be employed to secure the required balance so that the plug will iloat idly as shown in Fig. 3 but will assume the position of Fig. 4 when drawn through the water.

dotted line position wherein it may be slid to the alinement with the hole 2li.

in Fig. 6.

position of Fig. 2 the bends 22 serving to lock it in this position. When the loop 2l is in alinement with the bar I6 it is resiliently locked in position by notches or grooves Sli in the bar in Thusit is held in alnement to alford unitary or bodily longitudinal movement with the bar.

Should it be desired both the balancing weights may be combined in a single member as shown Here a weight 25a corresponding to the weight 25 is shaped to provide a greater weight on its side at the bottom of the plug. Thus the additional weight 3l is not necessary and the recess 21 may be closed by any suitable cover or stopper (not shown) to secure the desired appearance but which is not required to provide added weight.

From the foregoing it is readily apparent that I have provided a casting lure incorporating a V40 simple and effective arrangement for retaining the barbed hooks in a guarded position except ,when the lure is being drawn through the water on retrieving the cast. Thus the likelihood of snagging the lure on other objects is effectively minimized and increased safety is provided.

be limited to the details of construction shown and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications which fall Within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A iishing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line Go attaching element at one end, a fish hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage Where said hook is guarded by said body, means for biasing said body to float normally with said hook at the lowermost end thereof and to float with a predetermined side downward when said lure is drawn horizontally through the water, and a gravity biased element mounted in said body on the side of said passage remote from said predetermined side and positioned to engage said bar and to lock it against movement through said passage when said lure is drawn through the water with said hook outside said body, whereby said hook moves to its position outside said'body when said lure is idle in the water vand is lockedoutside said body when said lure is' being y drawn through .the water.

`2. A fishing lure-of the plug type comprising an lelongatedbody of buoyant material having a passage extendinglongitudinally therethrough, aibar disposed insaid passageand having a line attaching element `atuone end, a sh hook attached'to the other end of said barandhaving a shank movable with said bariinto said passage where saidfhook is guarded bysaid body, means forbiasing said body `to float normally with said hookat the lowermost end'thereof and to float with a predetermined side downward when said lure is `drawn horizontally through the water, said body having a recess opening into vsaid passage on the side remote from `said predetermined side, said `bar having a shoulder positioned to be adjacent said recess when saidbar is Vin its position with said hook extended, and a gravity'biased element in said recess `shaped to engage said shoulder and lock said bar in position in said passage when said bar'is urged forward Ain said passage =by drawing said lure horizontally through the water, whereby said hook moves to its position outside said body when said lure is idlein the water andis locked outside said bodywhen said lure isbeingdrawn through the water. Y

3. A iis'hing lure Aof the plug type comprising an Aelongated body of buoyant material having apassage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bardisposedin-said passage andhavinga line attaching element at one end, a fish ho'ok attachedto the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with saidbar into ysaid passage where said hook isguarded by said body, means for'biasing saidbod-y to ooatnormally with said hook `at thelowermostend thereof and to float with a predetermined side-downward when said lure -is drawn horizontally vthrough the water, said body having a lateral passage therein opening into said longitudinal passage on the side remote from said predetermined side and sloping toward said Vpassage and away from said hook, and a locking element freely movable in said lateral passage whereby `it is biased by gravity toward said bar in the normal horizontal position-of said lureand awaylfrom said body when said lureis upright with its hookend down, said barihavin'g a shoulder positioned to lie `adjacent said lateral passage and engage said locking element when said hook is extended and prevent movement of said shank into said body, whereby said hook moves to its position outside said body when said lure is idle in the water and is locked outside said body when said lure is being drawn through the water.

4. A iishing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, a sh hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook is guarded by said body, means for biasing said body to oat normally with said hook at the lowermost end thereof and to float with a predetermined side downward when said lure is drawn horizontally through the water, said bar having a surface thereon inclined inwardly toward said hook and a shoulder adjacent said surface at its end toward said hook, said body having a lateral recess communicating with said passage at a position adjacent said surface and shoulder when said hook shank is outside said body, and l a locking l element i freely mounted: in said recess and in the `horizontal 4position Lof said lure biased byrgravity to engagesaid shoulder and prevent movement of said shank 'into said body, said inclined surface acting to `urge said element back into said recess uponlmovement of said bar through said passage in fthe,

a passage extending longitudinally therethrough,`

a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, Va fish hook `attachedito `theother end of saidbar andhaving `a shank movable with said bar into saidpassage where said hook is guarded by said body, 'means forbias'ing said bodyto oat normally with said hook at `the lowermost end `thereof `and to 4float with a predetermined side downward whensaid lure is drawn horizontally through `the water, saidbar having a cone shaped portion pointing toward said hook and an annular shoulder adjacent the'apex of said cone portion, said body having a lateral passage communicating 'with said longitudinal passage adjacent the position of said cone portion when said `bar is in itsextended position with said shank Aoutside said passage, said lateral passage` sloping inwardlytoward said longitudinal passage and away from said hook, and a ball freely movable in said la'- teral passage andl arranged to fall by gravity and engage said shoulder and said body and-lock said bar to retain said shank outside saidlongitudinal passage when said lure is being drawn through thewater, whereby said hook moves `to its position outside said body when said lure is idle in the water and is locked outside saidbody when said lure is being drawn through the water.

6. A fishing lure of the plug type comprising an `elongatedbody of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in Asaid passage and having `a line attaching element at one end, a iish hook attached tothe other endof said bar andhaving a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook isguarded by Asaid body, .means for'biasing said body to oat normally with said hook at the lowermost end thereof and to float with a predetermined side downward when said lure is drawn horizontally through the water, said bar having a cone shaped portion pointing toward said hook and an annular shoulder adjacent the apex of said cone portion, said body having a lateral passage communicating with said longitudinal passage adjacent the position of said cone portion when said bar is in its extended position with said shank outside said passage, said lateral passage sloping inwardly toward said longitudinal passage and away from said hook, and a ball freely movable in said lateral passage and arranged to fall by gravity and engage said shoulder and said body and lock said bar to retain said shank outside said longitudinal passage when said lure is being drawn through the water, whereby said hook moves to its position outside said body when said lure is idle in the Water and is locked outside said body when said lure is being drawn through the water, and a second and larger ball freely mounted in said lateral passage on the outer side of said rst mentioned ball :or providing increased force urglng said first ball into its locking position. A 7. A iishing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, and a iish hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook is guarded by said body. said line attaching element including a resilient looped member pivotally and slidably attached to said bar, the pivot of said member on said bar being at the end of said lure remote from said hook when said shank lies within said passage and said hook is in its guarded position, said member inV such position being arranged to pivot until normal to said bar and then being slidable across the end of said lure to lock said hook in its guarded position.

8. A fishing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material havinga passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, and a sh hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook is guarded by said body, said line attaching element including a resilient looped member pivotally and slidably attached to said bar, the pivot of said member cn said bar being at the end of said lure remote from said hook when said shank lies within said passage and said hook is in its guarded position, said member is such position being arranged to pivot until normal to said bar and then being slidable across the end of said lure to lock said hook in its guarded position, said bar having a notch in alinement with said pivot whereby said member when in alinement with said bar is locked in position and constitutes a rigid extension of said bar.

9. A shing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, and a fish hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook is guarded by said body, said bar having a flattened portion adjacent the line end thereof and having a hole therethrough and a longitudinal grooved portion between said fiat-- tened portion and the line end thereon-the groove being in alinement with the hole in the flattened portion, andV said line attaching element comprising an elongated resilient looped member pivotally and slidably mounted in the hole in said attened portion, and arranged to be engaged in the groove and movable between a rst position locked in said groove and in alinementrwith said bar and a second position transverse to said bar and in engagement with the end of said lure on either side of said bar to lock said hook in its guarded position.V e

10. A iishing lure of the plug type comprising an elongated body of buoyant material having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a bar disposed in said passage and having a line attaching element at one end, a sh hook attached to the other end of said bar and having a shank movable with said bar into said passage where said hook is guarded by said body, means for biasing said body to iloat in water normally with said hook at the lowermost end thereof and to float with a predetermined side downward when said lure is drawn horizontally through the water, said body having a lateral passage extending from said predetermined side and intersecting said longitudinal passage, and a locking element loosely mounted in said lateral passage on the side of said longitudinal passage remote from said predetermined side, said element being retained in said portion of said lateral passage by said bar, said bar having a shoulder positioned tolie adjacent said lateral passage in its position with said hook extended, said element falling against said bar to engage said shoulder and lock said bar in position when said bar is urged forward in said passage by the drawing of said bar forward relative to said body. THOMAS A. HERKENHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Prentice May 24,l 1949 

